Jake O'Shawnasey

Serendipity

by Stephen Cosgrove

Jake, a green Irish seagull, is convinced that he can't fly.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Birds, Fiction

36 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Melinda Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This encouraging little book is meant for anyone who is having trouble learning anything. Its message is to have confidence that you can learn and you will learn. It takes faith in oneself and trying, never giving up.

[Erin]

Some of these books have been pretty good, but this is one of the ones that I think oversimplifies things a bit too much. I buy it that Jake couldn't manage to get the hang of flying because he kept convincing himself he would fail, but it's a little bit much that just being told he needed to believe in himself was like flipping a switch that allowed him to master it instantly. Some of the other books in this series have featured a character who had to overcome some personal obstacle in order to get what they wanted, but they at least acknowledged that it's going to be necessary to put a bit of effort in too, whether it's a matter of exercising to lose weight or working with other people to solve conflicts. I'd really like to know what sort of effect this book had on any kids who discovered that just believing in themselves was not, in fact, sufficient for them to master a skill.

[Ham · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bloated prose. Insipid plot. Heavy-handed, overly simplistic message. I did like the art, though.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad read this to me as a kid. A fond favourite and happy childhood memories.

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Robert Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very educational book. It teaches never to give up.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute story that definitely has a unique twist of making the sea gull in question green for whatever reason. And I like the fact that even though Jake doesn't know how to fly the others don't snub him but work together to help him out even through hidden means.

It is interesting the bird has a stubbornness that allows him to get places and the mindset to persevere as long as he isn't flying. Makes you wonder how he was raised or where he got his lack of confidence from.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

These Serendipity books were introduced to me in the first grade by a wonderful teacher. The creativity, well written and well illustrated books are perfect to get a young child interested in reading. I fell in love with these books as a kid and these were my favorite bed time books as a kid. They helped instill a love of reading in me that I have 26 years later.

[Cws]

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[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming little story for children with a moral to the tale to try and believe in yourself and try even if at first you fail.

[Coyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

May my child never apply the moral of this book--positive thinking will not enable him to fly.
Which doesn't make this not a delightful story with fantastic artwork.

[Mikana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful tale and wonderfully illustrated. If you are looking for a story that actually has a morale, then look no further - this book is worth sharing with the young ones you love.